Queen of Versailles

USA, 2012 dir. Lauren Greenfield  ****

A documentary that chronicles the rise and fall of David Siegel (a time-share mogul) and his wife Jacqueline. The American dream is shown in all its glory, with its positive and mostly negative outcomes during the 2008 recession period in the USA. Hard to believe it is all true, but actually, it is. See it to believe it.

Shores of Hope (TIFF 2012)

Wir Wollten Aufs Meer, Germany 2012, dir. Toke Constantin Hebbeln  ****

Taking The Life of Others to an extreme, this new entry by debut director Toke Constantin deals with the consequences of espionage and betrayal in the former East Germany. Two friends plan their imminent escape to the West, and soon enough one of them is contacted by the Security Police, Stasi, ruining their plans and ultimately, their lives. Very good performances overall. The story will both depress you and perhaps give you some hope at the end.

Twice Born (TIFF 2012)

Italy -USA, dir. Sergio Castellitto, 2012 *

The story of a Sarajevo refugee now established in Italy. After starting afresh in a new country, she decides to go back to her native city and meet with friends from the past. Her tragic story is revealed to the viewer in alternate flashbacks. The movie is quite long for the storyline, as is the case in many Italian movies. Some tragic scenes end up being funny instead. The movie was booed at the San Sebastian film festival. Penelope Cruz as an Italian is a good choice, but the moment she starts speaking English, the magic is gone. It is impossible for her to hide her Spanish accent. 

Toronto International Film Festival, Sept 6-16, 2012

Vanishing Waves (FIFF Montreal 2012)

Lithuania, 2012, dir. Kristina Buozyte ****

A scientific experiment in which a subject is connected to the brain neuronal activity of another person who is in comma. Both meet in the mind of the comatose person, in an in-between world of the subconscious. A stunning visual movie full of suspense. One of my favourites this year.

Shifting the Blame (FIFF Montreal 2012)

Schuld sind immer die anderen, Germany, 2012, dir. Lars-Gunnar Lotz ***

A youngster is involved in an assault and robbery to a young woman.  Some time later he gets caught for another crime and ends up in a detention house for young offenders. He finds out that the manager of this house is none other than the person he assaulted and robbed. A game of lies will only end in the realization of a darker secret that takes everyone by surprise. 

Moonrise Kingdom

USA, 2012, dir. Wes Anderson **

A small boy scout decides to flee his camp and escape with her new girlfriend. A kid's adventure, except that it's for grown-ups. Sarcastic and supposedly funny, it is hard to grasp the comic situations at times. Entertaining nonetheless. Visually perfect, every scene is conceived as if it were a photograph. 

Montreal International Film Festival, 23 August - 3 Sept

2 Days in New York

USA, 2012, dir. Julie Delpy ****

An original comedy featuring Julie Delpy and Chris Rock. When Julie's family from Paris comes to visit her in New York, it turns everyone's life around in unexpected ways. 

The Sound of Noise

2010, Sweden, France, dir. Ola Simonsson *

A group of musician friends get together to create performances in the city and make music out of common everyday articles and tools. They go to a hospital, a bank, a concert hall and even climb up the electric power stations to create musical sounds. 

El Bulli: Cooking in Progress

Spain, 2011, dir. Gereon Wetzel **

A documentary featuring a year in the life of El Bulli, the most famous new cuisine restaurant in Catalonia, Spain.

Hidden in the Woods (Fantasia Fest 2012)

En las Afueras de la Ciudad, Chile, 2012, dir. Patricio Valladares **

A father keeps his three kids trapped in a cabin in the woods for years. They learn to survive on their own, and guess what? They also happen to eat human flesh. This cannibalistic gorefest is fast-paced and disturbing, reminding us of the 70's and 80's exploitation films. The acting is somewhat fake, the story and overall pace keeps you awake until the end.

Chained (Fantasia Fest 2012)

USA, 2012, dir. Jennifer Lynch, ***
A disturbing tale of a mother and son kidnapped by a taxi driver. The boy is kept hidden in the killer's house for 8 years, doing the house shores and cleaning up after the serial killer finishes up his jobs. Even more disturbing is the ending because not all is at it seems. 

Black's Game (Fantasia Fest 2012)

Iceland, 2012, dir. Oskar Thor Axelsson ****

A junkie starts doing favors and working for the biggest drug dealer in Reykjavik and soon he is in the middle of a drug distribution ring. Life is good and crazy until one member of the team starts stealing drug and the boss finds out. He takes on extreme measure to make sure everybody obeys. Set in the year 1999, the photography and set designs are amazing, the story is also interesting.

Killer Joe (Fantasia Fest 2012)

USA, 2011, dir. William Friedkin *****
A classic tale comes back to the big screen thanks to Friedkin. A broke junkie hires the services of Killer Joe to kill his mother and claim the life insurance. Of course things do not go the way he planned and the ending will leave you begging for more. Amazing acting performances from almost everyone. 

Beast (Fantasia Fest 2012)

Denmark, 2011, dir. Christoffer Boe ****

A married couple starts to argue over fits of jealousy. The husband seems to be obsessed with finding out whether his wife is really cheating on him or not. The obsession turns into sick paranoia that will not end on a happy note. Amazing photography of Copenhague during winter and a very effective soundtrack.

Resolution (Fantasia Fest 2012)

USA, 2012, dir. Justin Benson & Aaron Scott Moorhead *

A drug addict and junkie lives by himself in a cabin in the woods. One day his best friend comes over to visit and decides that it's now or never to help him get out of his addiction. However, the cabin sits on the border of an aboriginal reserve. Soon enough, weird sounds and persons show up. Something or someone seems to be lurking at every corner. Good premise and plot, but the movie just does not deliver the punch at the right moments.

Jackpot (Fantasia Fest 2012)

Arme Riddere, Norway, 2011, dir. Magnus Martens *****

A group of ex-convicts buys a lottery ticket and they end up winning the big prize. But from here on, things go downhill for all four of them. They all want to keep the money for themselves, and they will do all it takes to get rid of each other. Action-packed, fast-paced and original. Black comedy at its best.

Des Vents Contraires

*** France, 2011, dir. Jalil Lespert
When his wife suddenly disappears, a writer decides to start a new life in a different city and take his two kids with him. It's an everyday struggle with a new job and new surroundings, until the shocking truth is revealed at the end. Quite depressing.

Declaration of War

La Guerre Est Déclarée, France 2011 ***

A young couple has a baby who suffers from a malign form of cancer. The whole family struggles to try to cope up and together deal with this situation. Amazing editing and use of music, the acting is fresh. Overall, very interesting take on a somewhat over-exploited subject.